North Africa expected to become major producer of concentrated solar power (CSP), more than half of which would be exported to meet European electricity demands

The IEA expects photovoltaic (PV) solar panels to provide 5 per cent of global electricity by 2030 and 11 per cent by 2050, driven by favourable incentive policies for residential and commercial installation. It also expects PV to provide a significant amount of energy for off-grid communities in rural areas.

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) is expected to grow to a similar market share - 11 per cent by 2050 - but its expansion will depend largely on the development of dedicated transport lines to bring power from regions with strong sunlight to areas of high population.

According to the IEA, North America is likely to be the biggest producer of CSP electricty, followed by India and North Africa. The latter is expected to export half its production to Europe through power lines across the Mediterranean.

David Matthews, CEO of the Solar Trade Association, said solar PV and CSP would complement each other rather than be in competition.

'The reality is that we need both PV and CSP: PV in northern Europe and CSP in the south where there is the direct sunshine.'

In the longer term, Matthews said he expects CSP to have the bigger role in meeting the world's power needs because of its lower costs per kilowatt, and its ability to store energy overnight as well as transfer it over long distances.

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